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Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz, who has served on the NCAA Board of Directors since July, has been unanimously appointed to the NCAA Executive Committee, President Mark Emmert has announced.

The Executive Committee is the highest governance body in the NCAA and is composed of institutional chief executive officers that oversee Association-wide issues. The committee is charged with ensuring that each division operates consistently with the basic purposes, fundamental policies and general principles of the Association.

"President Schulz's support and passion for intercollegiate athletics will be invaluable to the Executive Committee," Emmert said. "He will bring the proud traditions of both the Big 12 Conference and Kansas State to the highest governing body in the NCAA. I look forward to working with him to improve the experience for our student-athletes."

Schulz has served on the Division I NCAA Board of Directors, which is made up of presidents or chancellors from institutions in each of the association's 11 conferences, and will continue to fulfill his current four-year term in this role, ending in August 2016.

"President Schulz has proven himself as an outstanding educator and a talented leader," said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. "These capabilities are regularly demonstrated in our Big 12 meetings and the NCAA has quickly recognized what an asset he will be on the Board. We are proud of President Schulz and grateful for his willingness to service at the national level."

The board of directors is charged with responsibilities like electing institutions to Division I membership, overseeing the Academic Progress Rate and Academic Performance Census, and assuring gender and ethnic diversity in the leadership structure.

"President Schulz has provided terrific leadership for Kansas State University and the Big 12 Conference while also making an immediate impact during his first year as a member of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors," K-State Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Strengthening the interconnectivity between intercollegiate athletics and campus communities through his role on the NCAA Board and Executive Committee is a key component to K-State to becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025."